Unit 9 Flashcards
Global Change (18 cards)
HIPPCO
H -habitat Loss
I - invasive species
P - pollution
P - population
C - climate change
O - overexploitation
pH
a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance
invasive species
a non-native species that causes harm to the ecosystem it invades
ocean acidification
the process of increasing acidity in the earth’s oceans due to carbon dioxide absorption
global warming potential (GWP)
the measure of how much a greenhouse gas contributes to global warming
nitrous oxide
a GHG released from agricultural and industrial activities, contributing to climate change
stratospheric ozone
a layer of ozone gas found in the upper atmosphere that protects against harmful UV radiation
coral bleaching
the process in which coral reefs lose their vibrant colors due to stress
greenhouse gases (GHGs)
gases that trap heat in the earth’s atmosphere, contributing to global warming
anthropogenic activities
human activities that impact the environment, such as pollution and deforestation
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
chemicals used in refrigeration and air conditioning with high global warming potential
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
synthetic compounds containing carbon, chlorine, and fluorine, used as refrigerants and propellants (gas used in aerosol cans)
calcium carbonate
main component in shells of marine organisms vulnerable to ocean acidification
habitat fragmentation
the process of dividing natural habitats into smaller, isolated framents
stratospheric ozone depletion
breakdown of atmospheric ozone from chemicals, like CFCs, harmful effects on environment
the greenhouse effect
warming of earth’s surfaces due to trapped heat from GHGs
global climate change
the long-term alteration of earth’s average temperature and weather patterns
endangered species
a species that is at risk of extinction due to low population numbers
